MLFCCA

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A semi driver from St. Peter who was involved in a multi-vehicle, double-fatal crash in Washington County is facing wrongful death and personal injury civil lawsuits.

Robert M. White, W3604 Badger Lane, Malone, along with the owner of the semi he was driving, P F A Systems Inc. of Joliet, Ill., are named as defendants in the wrongful death case along with Great West Casualty Company of Sioux City, Neb.

Glenda Brien of Fond du Lac, wife of Ronald E. Brien, 57, who died in the crash Dec. 15, 2010, on Highway 41 north of Allenton in Washington County, is a plaintiff in the wrongful death suit with her husband’s estate and Regent Insurance Co.

The suit was filed April 7 in Washington County Circuit Court. A telephone scheduling conference is set for Aug. 11 with Judge Todd Martens.

Cathleen Merget of Richfield, Washington County, and Daniel Merget, of the same address, are named as plaintiffs in a personal injury suit also filed last month. White, his employer, and five insurance companies are named as defendants.

Multiple deaths; injuries

White, 62, was driving a southbound semitrailer on Highway 41 when the crash occurred the morning of Dec. 15 north of County Trunk D. White failed to stop for slowing traffic on Highway 41, authorities said. Traffic was slowed due to a prior crash.

The semi first collided with Brien’s sport utility vehicle in the right southbound lane of travel.

Brien’s SUV was pushed forward and struck a minivan owned by Jor Mac Co., Lomira, and operated by Annette Bath, 52, of Mayville. Bath sustained serious injuries in the collision.

The semi then struck an SUV driven by Shanna Will, 30, of Fond du Lac. The Will SUV was propelled through the median and overturned, coming to rest on the northbound lane of Highway 41. A passenger in the vehicle, John L. Will, 58, of Fond du Lac (Shanna’s father-in-law) died as a result of injuries. Shanna sustained critical injuries in the crash.

The semi then struck a third vehicle, a Ford Econoline Bus driven by Cathleen Merget, 39, of Richfield. Merget sustained injuries.

White, driver of the 2006 Mack semi, was treated for injuries at St. Agnes Hospital and released.

Criminal charges

Potential criminal charges against White are pending the results of toxicology testing, according to Washington County Sheriff’s Department Lt. Martin Schulteis.

Schulteis said it’s not uncommon for toxicology results to take 6 to 8 months to be returned from the Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory.

He said he believes strategy in the case has been developed whether there is positive or negative results from the drug and alcohol testing.

Last week an investigator with the Sheriff’s Department traveled to Belgium, Wis., to speak with a witness to the crash.

The Reporter was unable to reach White at his residence.

A spokesperson at P F A Systems said the company had “no comment” on whether White was still employed with them.